Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 288, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 December 1918 — CELEBRITIES COMMISSIONED [ARTICLE]

CELEBRITIES COMMISSIONED

STAGE, BAR, SPORTS AND BUSINESS REPRESENTED AT CAMP POLK. , Seventy-nine student officers of the Camp Polk Officers’ Training Camp yesterday afternoon received their commissions as second lieutenants in the tank corps reserve, and took the oath to uphold the constitution and fulfill their duties as officers in the presence of Col. W. H. Clopton, Jr., commanding officer of the camps. The news that the men were to receive their commissions before discharge was received in a general order several days ago, 'but the necessary papers were not ready until yesterday afternoon. Today the men will receive their commission papers and their discharges, and leave here for their homes. % Last night the men appeared for the first time as officers. Immediately after the company was dismissed at camp yesterday afternoon, an anxious group surrounded Lieut. Schuler B. Marshall, commanding officer of the O. T. C., asking’ if they might wear their insignia. The answer was affirmative. Celebrities are a common matter in the tank corps, but in this particular bunch of men there are more than a few. William H. Parkinson, widely known Indiana attorney, is one; Fred E. Dunworth, former auditor of the Sante Fe railroad, is another. Charles W. Reynolds, one of the group, is receiving his second commission. He was a 'captain in the regulars, and resigned to join the sank corps. The theatrical profession, both leg.timate and movie, are represented. Sergeant-Major W. A. S. Douglas is nationally known as a directorof motion pictures, having “Perils of Pauline” and many other films to his credit. N. K. Kaiser, a new lieutenant, is known to the screen world as Norman Kerry. He formerly played opposite Mary Pickford. Burton C. Green, eon of Irene Franklin, vaudeville headliner, is another new officer.

Then come two all-American football players: Philip Lewis, of Notre Dame, and E. P. King, tackle and later coach at Purdue university. Among the others are H. J. Beste, New York broker; Adolph Busch Magnus, grandson of Adolph Busch, manufacturer of a well-known drink; Benjamin E. Cohen, another attorney, from Chicago; and «K. I. .Herman, many times a millionaire and head of the K. I. Herman manufacturing company. Some delay was encountered in finding a copy of the oath that the linen -were to take, and it was nearly 5:30 when Sergeant J. Wainschenk gave the command to fall an. Col. Clopton was already present. Lieut. Marshall called the roll and administered tiie oath, and then Col. Clopton stepped forward. L He began by congratulating the men on their becoming officers, and added his regret at not having been in closer contact with the men in the camp. “I *ent over the course of study,” he said. “It was short, but at the time this camp was formed we expected to send across every officer and man in the camp by the middle of this month—during December. * • “Of course, we all have our per-

sonal regrets, and one of them is that after this iwork of organization wo cannot test our mettle. You return now to civil life, and I wish you success. If at any future time it should become necessary to organize another tank corps, you will be the foundation, and if I am still in the corps, I shall be glad to welcome you back.” Sergt. Weinschenk stepped up, called the men to attention and dismissed them, and then the company scattered. Some Stayed to thank Lieut. Marshall, the man who has been at the head of this officers’ training camp, for ins help and kindness to them. . . Others disappeared into their tents, soon to reappear in leather puttees, with the gold bars of second lieutenants on .their shoulders, and all tire other trappings of regular officers. Quite a number stayed around the two fires at the end of the company streets, for it was getting cold. On the fires had been thrown everything (burnable, from bulletin boards to boxes, so that thq whole camp bad a bonfire appearance. The men were free until D this evening, and all came to town Met might to celebrate their commissioning together.—Raleigh, N. <J. News and Observer, Dec. 6.